Gel Wax
Gel wax is a translucent wax with the consistency of jelly which is used in candle making.
Due to the clarity of the wax, it is common to find gel candles with embeds inside, such as sliced dried fruits, small glass ornaments, glitter or anything that won't melt at a temperature lower than the wax.
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New to Making Gel Wax candles?
You’ve come to the right place! Here is our Candle Making Guide which includes links to all the ingredients and materials needed to get started!
For any queries or for more information please use our contact page or give us a call on 01709 257 151 9 am-5 pm Monday-Friday.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need to use a container with Gel Wax?
Yes. Gel wax can only be used in containers, as it doesn't have the stiffness to stand on its own.
Can I add dye to Gel Wax?
If you want to colour the wax, we recommend using our liquid candle dyes, however, if you add too much the may lose its transparency. (Wax dyes can cause the gel to become cloudy).
What temperature should I heat the Gel Wax to?
Gel wax has a higher melt point than paraffin wax and should be melted in a pot over direct heat. It does tend to bubble whilst melting, to avoid this, heat the wax to a temperature in excess of 110 °C, but don't exceed 125°C as the wax could burn.
What wick should I use with Gel Wax?
We suggest a stiff zinc or paper core wick for the gel wax such as our TCR series wick. Use the size above the one you would normally use to compensate for the gel waxes slow-burning properties. We recommend to prime the wick with gel wax as this wax tends to be poured at a higher temperature than paraffin wax.
How much fragrance should I add to Gel Wax?
Our wax will hold up to 6% fragrance oil. Please note, not all scents are suitable. The scents recommended for this wax are called 'non-polar' and have a flashpoint in excess of 77°C. Not using the right scent for gel wax can be hazardous. Unscented Gel wax has a burn pool temperature of 130°C, this is well below the general flashpoint of 227°C. However, adding fragrance lowers the flashpoint of the wax, potentially low enough to cause the wax to ignite, so avoid these fragrances, and be sure to test your gel wax candles in a safe controlled environment.
What are the benefits of Gel Wax?
Gel wax candles have a slow melt rate and longer burn time, this makes the wax good value for money, even though it is more expensive than paraffin waxes. With gel wax being clear, embeds can be added such as dried fruits, small glass ornaments, dried flowers, etc to make the candle more aesthetically pleasing.
What is Gel Wax made from?
Gel wax is created using a combination of mineral oil and polymer resin, this gives the wax a slow melt rate and a longer burn time. The approximate percentage of these two elements is 95% mineral oil and 5% polymer resin.